It's a sad day around here as our town laid a fallen officer to rest. My little guy stood with his class for 1.5 hours for the entire procession with his sign. "Thank you for catching the bad man. You were a good sheriff. I respect you." 💙
#RIP#Burbridge#CBStrong#78-10#endofwatch 👮

After a busy weekend with family, I had some time to reflect on yesterday's sermon at @fcc_cb. Our pastor read and preached on Jeremiah 29, the Lord's directions to His people exiled in Babylon. Here's an excerpt:
4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” And it clicked for me last night. We're in exile too. This is not our home. But God didn't command the Israelites to build walls, hunker down, and wait out the storm. He told the Israelites to build up the city in which they were exiled, and (this is where it gets me) told them to seek the peace of the city.
I didn't know Deputy Mark Burbridge personally. But I've had the honor and privilege of knowing so many like him. A special breed of human being that is willing and stands ready to serve as the last line of defense between peace and chaos. The loss of Deputy Burbridge will be felt by many, none moreso than his family, friends, and colleagues that stand as that thin blue line.
So while we're exiled on this Earth, separated from God by sin and death, let us all strive each day toward maintaining the peace. But, knowing that humans will remain imperfect in their humanity, let's also take the time to pray for and support our peacekeepers; the ones in blue, tan, black and camouflage.
And, today in particular, pray for those that are mourning the passing of Deputy Mark Burbridge. Rest Easy, Deputy. We'll take it from here.
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#thinblueline#supportblue#bluelivesmatter#pottawattamiecountysheriffsoffice#burbridge#deputyburbridge#endofwatch#cbstrong#cbproud